Health Play Assistant / Specialist (Development Post)

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a 12 month matenity cover post for either a second year student Health Play Specialist undertaking the Fda course in Healthcare Play Specialism, or for a fully qualified registered Health Play Specialist.

You will be joining our team and be part of an established service promoting specialised play and therapeutic intervention for children and young people in our care. The post holder will work within the Multi Professional Team to ensure that the needs of the children and young people are met and a positive hospital experience is achieved.

This post is for full time 37.5 hours.

Please note if you are still studying and yet to achieve qualification and registration you will be employed as a band 3. You will be uplifted to a band 4 upon completing your qualification and receiving your registration.

Interviews will be conducted on 27th April 2026.

Only candidates with who meet the essential qualification will be considered for this post

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Secondment will be considered for internal candidates - If you are successful after interview, you must obtain approval from your current line manager to accept the offer.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

• Provide a welcoming environment for children and young people of all ages and abilities where specialised play is promoted and used to reduce anxiety, alleviate boredom and aid in recovery.
• Display advocacy towards the child or young person at all times to ensure all aspects of holistic care are met.
• Use effective preparation, distraction and post procedural play to support each patient and their families through the necessary procedure or treatment helping to develop coping strategies and compliance.
• Be accountable for own actions in accordance with the Society of Health Play Specialist professional Code Conduct. Acting within local, Trust and statutory guidelines and policies always, including all aspects of child protection.
• Effectively communicate information to patients/carers and the multi-professional team regarding play interventions including situations which promote awareness of the emotional needs heightened by stress and crisis.
• A competent practitioner that is able to demonstrate and teach good practice to other members of the Multi Professional Team and students. Assess, supervise and provide mentorship to appropriate students when required.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.